Fire services
The fire & building control authority comes under the remit of the director of service for community and enterprise and emergency services who has been delegated all executive functions under the Fire Services Act 1981 as amended by the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003 and the Building Control Act 1990 and associated regulations. The exception to the above are the fire and operations plan and estimates which are still a reserved function.
The main objective of the fire & building control section is to provide for the safety of persons and buildings both new and existing by way of fire prevention and also by operational response in the case of fire and/or accident.
The fire & building control authority carry out its functions under three main headings:
Fire prevention
This is a monitoring and regulatory role for the council as a fire & building control authority relating to inspections, recommendations and actions in respect of existing and proposed buildings.
The role is carried out through its input into the planning function, processing Fire Safety Certificates under Building Control Act and associated regulations and inspection of existing buildings under the Fire Services Act and the Licensing Acts.
The council as fire authority also have a role in relation to the inspection and licensing of retail petroleum stations and bulk petrol distribution stores under the Dangerous Substance Act, 1972 and Dangerous Substances Regulations, 1979. Secondly the Council also has a role in relation to the monitoring of volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.'s) emissions at petrol stations under the Air Pollution Act (Petroleum Vapour Emissions) Regulations 1997.
Operational service
This relates to the resources of the fire authority to respond quickly and efficiently to fires and other emergencies throughout the county. This response consists of a pre-determined turnout of appliances and equipment based on the nature, magnitude and severity of the incident. Turnout involves the mobilisation of the fire-fighting crews and the appropriate fire appliances.
Building control
This relates to the processing and reception of commencement notices and maintaining the register of same as per the building control regulations and the inspection and monitoring of up to 15% of such new works to monitor for compliance with all the requirements of the Building Regulations, 1997.
For further information contact:
Fire and Building Control Department
Clare County Council
New Road
Ennis
Co. Clare.
Telephone: (065) 6846302
Email: fireoff@clarecoco.ie
If you wish to visit the department in person the office hours are 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Page last updated: 28/05/10